Photon Harvesting in Plants and Biomolecules

To this end, we specifically develop and apply novel ultrafast spectroscopic methods tailored to: i) induce in a controlled way the physiological changes that photoactive molecules experience in their natural environment, and ii) probe in real time how, and how fast, photoactive molecules respond to such changes and switch their function on/off. With our tools, we aim to probe the molecular response of a variety of (bio)molecules from the femtosecond to above the second, and to uncover the ground and excited states properties of all the intermediate states.

We combine our experimental tools with cutting edge molecular dynamics simulations-based methods, for most of which we work on national supercomputing facilities, to obtain structural detail of such molecular switches with an ultrafast resolution and atomistic detail.

Our research can potentially refine our fundamental knowledge of how living and artificial systems sense and respond at the molecular level to changes in light and environment. This information can also provide essential information for future rational design of (bio)inspired molecular sensing systems.

Position(s) available:  The group has opportunities for outstanding Master students, Ph.D. students, and postdocs. For more information, please reach Prof. Dr. Nicoletta Liguori. Information on application procedures can be found on the ICFO jobs website.